Sex Offender Law

The term Sex Offender Registration Law actually refers to the Community Protection Act of 1990 which basically outlines the requirement of any adult or juvenile who has been convicted of any of the sex offenses listed below after February 28, 1990, or was still on active supervision for such an offense at that time, or who has been committed as a sexually violent predator to register their address with law enforcement.

Pursuant to RCW 4.24.550 and the Washington State supreme Court decision in State v. Ward, law enforcement agencies are authorized to inform the public of a sex offenders release when; in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

Crime Examples
The crimes which require registration are as follows and can be found under RCW. 9A.44, 9A.64.020, 9.68A.090, 9.94A.127, and 13.40.135 and include, but are not limited to:

Any Federal or Out-of-State conviction that under Washington State Law would be classified as a sex offense

Any Felony w/finding of Sexual Motivation

Child Molestation

Communicate w/Minor for Immoral Purposes

Custodial Sexual Misconduct w/ Minor

Dealing in Depictions of a Minor

Incest

Indecent Liberties

Patronize Juvenile Prostitute

Rape of a Child

Rape

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Sexual Misconduct w/a Minor

Sexually Violate Human Remains

Voyeurism

Duration
The duration of an offender's duty to register is based upon the original offense: See RCW 9A.44.140:

Class A Felony - May stop registering only upon the petition of the superior court.

Class B Felony - 15 years from the last date of release from confinement or entry of the judgment and sentence, if the person has spent 15 consecutive years in the community without being convicted of any new offenses.

Class C Felony - Ten years from the last date of release from confinement of entry of the judgment and sentence, if the person has spent 10 consecutive years in the community without being convicted of any new offenses.

Petition of Court - Any person having the duty to register, or an offender having the duty to register for a sex offense when the offender was a juvenile, may petition the superior court to be relieved of that duty.

Important Note
Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated and could potentially end law enforcement's ability to do community notifications. We believe the only person who wins if community notification ends is the sex offender, since sex offenders derive their power through secrecy